What a busy weekend I had, with another busy one coming up with the Theater North West Wine Festival at The Exploration Place with an afternoon trade and evening tasting. Hope to see you all there.
As usual it did sell out very quickly. If you missed out this year don't miss out next year.
Taking into account the holiday season ahead of us I thought I would start to try wines just for these special occasions. I tried picking wines that are affordable. It's nice to see some of my customers are similar to me and are still enjoying a nice chilled crisp white. Yet others are seeking rich, warm reds.
I have featured a few sweeter whites in my past articles, this time it's total opposite with two dry whites and the red which is slightly sweeter. I could see sharing all three of these wines with family or friends for any occasion.
Harpers Trail
Riesling (95273)
BC VQA
$19.90
What started out a weekend away for a lovely wine tour and tasting turned out to be lifestyle for this couple.
Well-known Kamloops businessman Ed Collett and wife Vicky are the proud owners of Harpers Trail winery. Harpers Trail is Kamloops' first winery along the South Thompson River with its rolling hills, sage brush, deer and big horn sheep. OK, the dream didn't just happen overnight, it had been on their minds for many years.
After many trips to other wine regions, mostly in Chile and Argentina, Ed realized the climates had many similarities and thought "what if"?
Both Ed and Vicky were born and raised in B.C. After being married Ed started his first company, Intequip Mining Sales and Services in 1987, where later Vicky joined him to help with administrative jobs.
After many years with that business, it was time for a change, but what to do? That's when Ed started consulting with others in the wine industry to get a feel for what he should do and where to plant the grapes.
Fast forward to today: Ed with his knowledge of business and Vicky with her administration knowledge and her love of hospitality are now proud owners of their very own 24 acre winery, Harpers Trail, now seven years old. The name of the winery comes from long-time pioneer Thaddeus Harper, who owned a huge ranch and moved cattle from the U.S. to the Chilcotin to Harpers Gang Ranch.
Ed and Vicky have a great team behind them to ensure all that they want to express in their wines comes through to showcase what they have. Vineyard manager John Dranchuk has many years experience behind him with previous work with Richard Cleave and Mission Hill. He knows what it takes to grow grapes.
Next, there is consulting winemaker Michael Bartier, who also has many years experience behind him. He has also produced wine with Stags Hollow and Township 7.
Harpers Trail was first produced at the Okanagan Crush Pad in Summerland, now though all wines are produced and bottled right on site.
Harpers Trail has produced a Dry Riesling down to a tee. This is a great example of an "austere" Riesling which technically means a wine with high acidity and one that's very, very dry. It has the classic flint, wet stones and apple flavours and aromas of this style of Riesling with a blast of acidity on the finish.
You could easily pair this white with a nice strong cheese.
McGuigan Black Label
Pinot Grigio (576306)
Australia
$10.99
I get the question a lot: "Is a Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris the same or different?"
Pinot Grigio is the Italian name for the Pinot Gris. It really is only one varietal, just two different spellings.
McGuigan Pinot Grigio is grown in South Eastern Australia, which is now considered a viticultural "super zone." With the very diverse landscapes with rain forest, mountain ranges, scrublands and dry river beds it makes sense. The other important factors that contribute to this new classification are the location to the Pacific Coast and Indian Oceans and their influences on all the vineyards.
When it comes to Australia, it ranks sixth in the world as of 2010 for wine production and is the fourth biggest exporter. The McGuigan family is still behind this label after many, many years with Neil McGuigan winning white winemaker of the year a second time in four years in 2012. They also won International Winemaker of the Year for a third time in four years, which is also a first for them as they are the only winery to ever have such a title. In 2012 they entered 39 wines and went home with 39 awards.
The McGuigan estate and vineyards are located in the famous Hunter Valley region which is about 180 years old. Some of Australia's oldest and well-known winemaking families call this region home. There are currently 150 wineries located in the Hunter Valley which makes up two per cent of Australia's wine production.
McGuigan Black Label red wine now has a pair with the newest edition of McGuigan Black Label Pinot Grigio white. This Pinot Grigio is definitely dry and load of aromas and flavours of pear, granny smith apple and citrus. At first you can taste the ripe pear which quickly leads into the granny smith apple and tartness finishing off with a bang of citrus.
Serve this dry white slightly chilled, but not too much as the flavours may seem bitter. Serve with a nice grilled fish.
Vintage Ink
Rebel Red 49023
BC VQA
$16.99
I always get excited when we get a new BC VQA wine in the store. We are coming on and coming on strong.
I thought I would share with you some interesting facts about BC VQA wines.
What does VQA stand for first of all? In wine terms this is the appellation of origin and quality standard for the B.C. wines. Basically it means when you're sitting back sipping that VQA wine rest assured it really is B.C. wine. The guidelines they follow are very strict and monitored.
The new designation of VQA or (Vintners Quality Alliance) began in 1990 when there were only 17 wineries compared to today's 273 wineries. The wine must contain 95 per cent of the grapes from the stated region on the label. It also must contain 85 per cent of grapes from the vintage stated on the label with 85 per cent of the grapes being the varietal on the label.
Not too complicated, yet reassuring to all of us purchasing a VQA wine.
Here in B.C. we have basically five growing regions: Vancouver Island, Gulf Islands, Fraser Valley, Okanagan Valley and Similkameen Valley with a few new regions emerging such as Kamloops and Lillooet.
Today in B.C. we have approximately 9,800 acres planted with more than 75 varietals being produced. The top varietal planted for whites is Pinot Gris and for the reds it is Merlot.
Vintage Ink is a fairly new company owned by Vincor Canada, which represents other successful estate wineries here in B.C. Vintage Ink sources their grapes from first-class sites in the Okanagan Valley. This provides them with the quality and balance needed for this perfect smooth red blend.
Vintage Ink wines are meant to bring out the rebel in all of us and be proud of who we are. This is the perfect red blend that starts off mellow with the Merlot and then, bam, the spice hits you and takes you in a different direction again with the Shiraz.
Vintage Ink Rebel Red is full-bodied with a rich, silky feel. Aromas of ripe red fruits and spice tempt your taste buds while rich jammy flavours of dark red fruits flow into a slightly jammy taste, then into a chocolate explosion, vanilla and spice on a long smooth sweet finish.
I would try this red on its own to experience all the rich flavours and hints of chocolate and spice undertones.
Kim Cabral is a product consultant at the BC Signature Liquor Store at Pine Centre Mall
